A Newcastle University student who died in excruciating pain was made to feel like a 'time-waster' by medical staff before her collapse, an inquest has heard. Libby Instone, 20, from Billingham, Teesside, was diagnosed with gastroenteritis during three visits to an urgent care centre within just over 24 hours in August 2023.
The law student, who aspired to become a barrister, died as a consequence of an infarction of her small intestine, Teesside Coroner Clare Bailey was told. Her mother Susan Instone said her daughter had been vomiting for several days and was in constant agony, but staff failed to examine her properly or consider alternative diagnoses.
An independent medical expert found that Libby had been unable to open her bowels for days, which should have raised alarm bells that she was not suffering from gastroenteritis. The report concluded that numerous opportunities to conduct a stomach scan were missed, and a surgical procedure could have successfully treated her blocked intestine.
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' and acknowledged a 'degree of cognitive bias' among staff. The inquest continues.
