The boyfriend of Libby Instone, a 20-year-old Newcastle University law student who died in excruciating pain after being dismissed as a 'time-waster', has revealed that despite their persistent efforts with medical professionals, it 'felt like we couldn't get anywhere'.
Final Days of Agony
Libby, from Billingham, was diagnosed with gastroenteritis across three separate attendances at an urgent care facility within just over 24 hours. She had been experiencing severe vomiting for several days before ultimately collapsing and passing away in August 2023.
An inquest last week determined that neglect played a role in her death. She died as a consequence of an infarction of her small intestine.
Theo Corbett's Account
Her partner, Theo Corbett, appeared on ITV's Good Morning Britain, where he recounted the final hours he spent with Libby. He stated: 'Me and Libby had been to London beforehand... I spoke to Libby on the evening she got home, she was fine. Then I spoke to her the next day and I could see that she was writhing around in pain on her bed. She was pointing to her stomach.'
Theo added: 'I was there for the final three and a half hours that Libby was in hospital before she was discharged. Whilst I was there, she wasn't examined, she wasn't attended to, she was due further pain medication, which she had asked for, which she didn't receive.'
He continued: 'I was sat by the bed with her whilst all this was going on until it got to the point we were told you are discharged, you can go home now.'
Missed Opportunities
Teesside Coroner Clare Bailey delivered a narrative conclusion, noting that Libby made repeated visits to North Tees Hospital Urgent Care Centre, was admitted and discharged, and later suffered a cardiac arrest. 'There were missed opportunities to investigate the cause of her persistent abdominal pain and vomiting, and to provide life-saving treatment,' she said. 'Libby's death was contributed to by neglect.'
An independent medical expert concluded that Libby had been unable to open her bowels for several days, which should have raised alarm bells that she was not suffering from gastroenteritis, as diarrhoea is typically a symptom. Numerous opportunities were missed to carry out an abdominal scan, and surgery could have successfully addressed her blocked intestine.
Hospital Apology
Dr Michael Stewart, group chief medical officer for North Tees and Hartlepool and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts, offered 'an unreserved and sincere apology for the missed opportunities in Libby's care'. He acknowledged a 'degree of confirmation bias' surrounding the unchanged gastroenteritis diagnosis. The coroner accepted that procedures have since been improved at the trust.
A spokesperson from North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust said: 'We are deeply saddened by the death of Libby Instone who was under our care. Our sincere condolences remain with her family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time. We accept the findings of the inquest.'
The spokesperson added: 'We apologise to her family and continue to offer support to all involved. A thorough review of the circumstances surrounding this case has identified shortcomings in the care provided to Libby and her family. We are committed to learning from this tragic case and have implemented measures to strengthen processes to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.'
Public Reaction
Susanna Reid, speaking on Good Morning Britain, said: 'The fact that it seems that the calls for pain relief were not answered and that Libby and her family were treated as time wasters... that makes you feel sick because everybody understands A&E is under pressure but to be treated as a time waster when in fact you are dying is disgusting.'
Dr Sara Kayat responded: 'It's horrific and it should never have happened. This is a case that could have been so different if they started each reassessment with a fresh page and didn't have that bias from a previous doctor's assessment.'
Theo concluded: 'I feel like we were trying to raise concerns that we had and tried to press as much as we could and how worried we were about Libby's health but no matter how much we pushed, no matter how much we pressed, it just felt like we couldn't get anywhere.'
