People visiting hospitals in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan will soon be given less time to park for free as part of new measures by the health board.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has confirmed it is making changes to its parking arrangements from February 1 in a bid to "reduce inappropriate parking on hospital sites".
Currently, if people keep their vehicles on site for longer than four hours, they can get an additional four hours free by entering their registration into electronic screens dotted around the hospital.
However, from the start of next month the additional time allowed is being reduced from four hours to two.
The measure will be implemented at patient and visitor parking at Barry Hospital, University Hospital Llandough and the University Hospital of Wales.
The changes have not been welcomed by people.
Posting on Cardiff and Vale UHB's Facebook page, Naomi Dyke said: "This is such a stupid system. I got a parking fine when I was in the hospital last year sat at my dad's bedside.
"I was there all day, he had sepsis. People who are there worried about sick family aren't in a position to be worrying about looking for signs about parking or leaving bedsides to go and sort it out either."
Another frequent visitor, Charlotte Bailey, said the changes were "ridiculous" and added: "It's going to be very stressful for those with less mobility, when clinics are running behind time or you're visiting someone who's very sick."
A spokeswoman said: "There are lots of alternative ways to travel to our sites, such as our free park and ride service to the University Hospital of Wales and University Hospital Llandough, public transport, and active travel like walking or cycling.
"These changes will not affect staff parking areas."
The health board said if people need more than six hours, they should contact the parking office by e-mailing CAV_UHB.Parking.office@wales.nhs.uk or calling 029 2074 3629 where requests will be reviewed on a "case by case" basis. If it is rejected, they will risk receiving a fine.
