Overview
- The inquest, held Monday, June 1, 2026, recorded a narrative conclusion that neglect contributed to 20‑year‑old law student Libby Instone’s death from a small‑bowel infarction.
- Instone attended North Tees urgent care three times in just over 24 hours and was repeatedly diagnosed with gastroenteritis despite severe pain and days without opening her bowels.
- An independent medical expert told the court that clinicians missed opportunities to scan her abdomen and to perform surgery that likely would have treated a blocked intestine.
- Dr Michael Stewart, the trusts’ group chief medical officer, offered an unreserved apology and accepted there was confirmation bias in sticking with the gastroenteritis diagnosis, and the trust says procedures have since been improved.
- The family say they were initially told Libby could not have been saved, they are now represented by medical‑negligence lawyers, and the coroner’s findings, while not criminal charges, spotlight systemic faults that could drive clinical and legal action.