UK timeline, part 3 of 10

British medical treatments and NHS advice later overturned

Treatments and NHS advice that changed as better evidence arrived, from bed rest and episiotomy to cot death advice.

This timeline is a starting catalogue. Unlike our fact-checked cases, each entry has not yet been checked against primary sources. Not every case involves dishonesty: many are honest changes as evidence improved.

Stomach ulcers and stress 1980s–1990s

Changed evidence

Many ulcers formerly explained mainly through stress and acid were found to involve H. pylori infection.

Hormone replacement therapy to prevent disease 2002 onwards

Changed evidence

HRT prescribing changed after major trials revealed risks that had been underestimated in some uses.

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Routine bed rest for back pain 1990s–2000s

Changed evidence

NHS guidance increasingly favoured staying active instead of prolonged bed rest.

Prolonged bed rest after heart attacks 1960s–1980s

Changed evidence

Early mobilisation and rehabilitation replaced lengthy immobility.

Routine episiotomy during childbirth 1980s–2000s

Changed evidence

Evidence undermined the routine use of surgical incisions during vaginal delivery.

Shaving women before childbirth 1970s–2000s

Changed evidence

Routine perineal shaving lost support as evidence failed to establish benefits.

Routine enemas during labour 1970s–2000s

Changed evidence

Once common procedures became unnecessary under modern evidence-based maternity practice.

Radical mastectomy 1970s–1990s

Changed evidence

Less extensive breast operations became established for suitable patients after trials challenged the need for radical surgery.

Routine knee arthroscopy for osteoarthritis 2000s–2010s

Changed evidence

NICE and other guidelines restricted procedures that showed little benefit for uncomplicated osteoarthritis.

Grommets for childhood glue ear 2000s–2020s

Changed evidence

NHS guidance became more selective about which children were likely to benefit.

Antibiotics for most ear infections 2000s onwards

Changed evidence

Prescribing guidance increasingly recommended observation or delayed prescriptions in appropriate cases.

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Routine antibiotics for sore throats 2000s onwards

Changed evidence

Evidence-based guidelines discouraged unnecessary prescribing for largely self-limiting illnesses.

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Aspirin for people without cardiovascular disease 2010s–2020s

Changed evidence

Routine preventive use was curtailed because bleeding risks can outweigh benefits.

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Aspirin for children's fever 1980s

Safety reversal

Advice changed because of the association with Reye's syndrome.

Cot death sleeping advice 1991–1992

U-turn

The UK Back to Sleep campaign recommended placing babies on their backs, reversing earlier practices that had encouraged tummy sleeping.

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Peanut avoidance during pregnancy 1990s–2000s

Changed evidence

Previous advice to some allergy-prone families was withdrawn when evidence failed to establish that avoidance prevented allergies.

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NHS cervical screening intervals 2000s–2020s

Changed evidence

Screening schedules changed as HPV testing became the primary method and its evidence base developed.

HPV vaccination eligibility 2008–2020s

U-turn

The programme expanded beyond its original girls-only routine offer to include boys and other eligible groups.

Routine childhood tonsillectomy 1960s–present

Changed evidence

Surgery became more selective as evidence clarified when benefits outweigh risks.

These examples are particularly important because the NHS was not necessarily concealing information. In many cases, established treatments were changed after better clinical trials became available.

Last reviewed: 12 November 2026.