Home / Health / Coroner: Medical Neglect Killed Young Law Student
Coroner: Medical Neglect Killed Young Law Student
1 Jun
Summary
- Libby Instone, 20, died from an infarction of her small intestine.
- She was repeatedly misdiagnosed with gastroenteritis over 24 hours.
- A staff member admitted they thought she was a 'time-waster'.
A coroner has determined that neglect played a role in the tragic death of 20-year-old law student Libby Instone. Ms. Instone, a student at Newcastle University who aspired to be a barrister, suffered from severe vomiting and pain.
Over a 24-hour period in August 2023, she visited an urgent care center three times. Despite her worsening condition, medical staff repeatedly diagnosed her with gastroenteritis, failing to consider other possibilities.
An independent medical expert found that multiple opportunities were missed to diagnose her condition, which was an infarction of her small intestine. This condition could have been successfully treated with surgery.
Tragically, Ms. Instone collapsed and later died. A member of the hospital staff admitted to her mother that they had dismissed Libby as a 'time-waster.' The local NHS trust has offered a sincere apology for the failures in her care.
