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Girl, 20, Dies After Being Called 'Time-Waster'
22 Jun
Summary
- Student died from small intestine infarction after misdiagnosis.
- Inquest found neglect by NHS Trust significantly contributed to death.
- Staff were reportedly watching football during her care.
A young university student, Libby Instone, died at the age of 20 after repeated misdiagnoses and alleged neglect at the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. An inquest on June 1, 2026, determined that gross failure to provide basic medical attention significantly contributed to her death from infarction of the small intestine.
Libby had presented to the Urgent Care Centre three times within 24 hours with severe abdominal pain. She was allegedly treated as a 'time-waster' by staff who, according to her parents, were preoccupied watching the Women's World Cup final on TV.
Despite her deteriorating condition, Libby was sent home hours before her bowel perforated, leading to a fatal collapse. Her boyfriend, Theo Corbett, described the distressing experience of watching her rapid decline and expressed the pain of her undignified death.
The NHS Foundation Trust has accepted the inquest's findings, apologized for the shortcomings in care, and stated that measures have been implemented to prevent similar tragedies. The family has endured a three-year fight for answers.
