Patients and visitors to Nottingham's hospitals will soon benefit from reduced car parking charges.
It is currently £4 to stay for up to two hours at Nottingham City Hospital and the Queen's Medical Centre.
But lower tariffs for short stays will be in place from November 1, when parking for up to 15 minutes will be free. Parking for up to an hour will be £2.
Tracy Baron, of Keyworth, is a regular visitor to Nottingham City Hospital. In January she had a mastectomy to get rid of two tumours in her left breast, and has been going for follow-up visits.
For the past three weeks she has also been paying to park at the Queen's Medical Centre, where her step-father is being treated for pneumonia.
The 44-year-old said: "£4 is a lot of money for a short trip. Once I had my operation I had to keep going back, but it was only for about ten to 15 minutes each time.
"Being able to park for £2 for an hour now will be a lot better. It will be a lot easier on people's pockets."
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust decided to make the changes following increasing complaints from patients and visitors about unreasonable charges.
Anne Grainger, 65, of Selston, has been a visitor to both hospitals several times in the past few years.
She said: "I think £4 is wrong, it is far too much. The new prices seem better, but 15 minutes for free is not very long, especially if you have someone with you who is less mobile. I think it would be better for an hour."
The prices have not changed for people wanting to park for more than one hour. Prices are £4 for one to two hours, £5 for two to four hours, £6 for over four hours and £15 for one week (seven days).
Jane Hunt, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Nottingham South, has been campaigning for lower parking charges at the two hospitals.
She said: "These were exceptionally high charges compared to other hospitals in the country.
"I think it is absolutely fantastic news and incredibly helpful for patients, their family and friends. I know there are other ways of getting to the hospitals but this gives people more choice."
Shaun Kerfoot, Interim Rirector of estates and facilities at NUH, said: "We listen carefully to the views of our patients, visitors and staff – and the message has been clear in recent months that a £4 minimum car charge to park at our hospitals simply isn't considered reasonable.
"In an ideal world we wouldn't charge for parking at our hospitals. However, we fund our car parks and free shuttle bus service for patients, visitors and staff (Medilink) from income we make from car parking charges to protect NHS money for patient care. Money raised from car parking is also used to cover costs of maintenance, security and lighting that keeps our car parks safe."
