Rishi Sunak has backtracked on a Tory leadership campaign pledge to fine patients who miss GP and hospital appointments £10.
It comes after the new Prime Minister announced the policy during the summer in his failed bid for No10 against Liz Truss.
Mr Sunak's team said at the time the proposals would be "instrumental" in addressing the record backlog in the NHS.
But the ex-Chancellor faced a major backlash from health leaders and unions, warning it may worsen inequalities in the health service.
The British Medical Association (BMA) had said the plans would "make matters worse" and threaten the principle of free NHS care at the point of need.
A No10 spokeswoman said on Friday the new Prime Minister said the "sentiment remains the same" that people should not be missing their appointments.
But they added: "We have listened to GPs and health leaders, and have acknowledged that now is not the right time to take this policy forward."
Announcing the policy in July as he sought the votes of the Tory membership, Mr Sunak insisted that missed appointments were a "big cost" for the NHS.
He added: "But worse than the cost is the impact on other patients waiting to be seen.
“Everyone should be able to get an appointment with their GP, and those waiting to see a consultant should be seen as soon as possible.
"But the millions of appointments being missed make it harder for people to get the care they need.
“Under my government, there will never be charges for care in our NHS. But I will charge people who waste valuable NHS time by booking appointments and failing to attend.”
