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Inquest Blames Neglect, Missed Scans for Instone Death

6/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The inquest concluded Libby Instone’s death was contributed to by neglect after staff called her a “time-waster.”
Coroner Clare Bailey said the hospital repeatedly diagnosed gastroenteritis and omitted abdominal scans despite blockage signs.
Dr Michael Stewart, group chief medical officer of the North Tees and Hartlepool and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, issued an apology and noted procedural changes.

History

Historical Context

An 2008 Healthcare Commission probe of Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust revealed mortality concerns, with press reports citing 400-1,200 excess deaths between 2005 and 2008. Sir Robert Francis’s 2013 inquiry reinforced the need for safety reforms. Today, Coroner Clare Bailey’s inquest into Libby Instone’s death highlights similar failures at North Tees NHS Trust, prompting new procedural safeguards.

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Story summary

The inquest concluded Libby Instone’s death was contributed to by neglect after staff called her a “time-waster.”
Coroner Clare Bailey said the hospital repeatedly diagnosed gastroenteritis and omitted abdominal scans despite blockage signs.
Dr Michael Stewart, group chief medical officer of the North Tees and Hartlepool and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, issued an apology and noted procedural changes.

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