In order to make a trip to the hospital more convenient for patients and visitors, Kent Hospital has teamed up with VPNE Parking Solutions to offer free valet parking.

The service began yesterday at 6:30 a.m. and people were pleasantly surprised to have their vehicles parked and retrieved for them.

“They help you in and they help you out,” said patient Barbara Capobianco. “It was great to see a guy come up to the car and open the door for me.”

Another patient, Henriette Roy, also enjoys the new service. She thinks it’s a “nice idea.”

“It makes you feel that someone really cares,” said Roy. “It’s definitely a warm feeling.”

Kevin Magio, who was dropping off personal belongings to a patient, agreed.

“This is great,” he said. “I grew up [in Warwick] and I’ve seen this hospital grow. It has come a long way and they are doing a super job.”

The free service is located at the main entrance. It is offered Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is not available on weekends. Cars will not be parked after 4 p.m., however, keys to any remaining cars in the valet lot after 5 p.m. will be given to the information desk for pickup.

Employees are to continue to park in spaces designated as employee parking.

With the construction of the hospital’s new ambulatory surgical center, parking has become limited. Jim Beardsworth, director of marketing and public relations for Kent, said the valet option eases the stress of finding a place to park.

“As a whole, parking spaces are at a premium,” he said. “We have an overall staff of 2,300 people over three shifts, as well as a physician staff of about 600. When you put that on top of all of our patients and visitors, we certainly had a potential for parking concerns. So, we thought this was a way to provide our patients with a service that gives them peace of mind when they come here. It’s important for the safety, convenience and efficiency that our patients and visitors deserve. It will help them make their treatments or tests, or even visiting a loved one, a better experience.”

In just three hours, VPNE employees Emmanuel Ramos and Miguel Luna assisted a dozen people. They said while most people aren’t used to having valet at a hospital, they appreciated the service.

“People were a little uneasy at first because they didn’t really know about the valet service but as soon as we tell them what we’re here for they get really happy,” said Ramos. “They say, ‘You mean I don’t have to walk all the way from the parking lot?’ They walk right in and whenever they’re ready we get their car for them and pull it right up. It doesn’t get any more convenient than that.”

But Ramos and Luna do more than just park and retrieve vehicles. In addition, they are certified by the state of Rhode Island to install infant car seats.

“When people are discharged with their babies, we can help them out,” said Luna. “You usually have to call your local police department and make an appointment. Sometimes, the baby is too big or too small for the seat so we adjust the straps and we show the parents in case they have to do it again. They don’t have to worry about putting the baby at risk of being unsafe.”

Ramos said this feature always excites people. He is pleased to help in this capacity.

“Car seat certifications are actually really rare for a valet service and if we see one little thing wrong we tell them and fix it,” he said. “It’s another way to give the patients the care they deserve. That’s what we’re here for. We want to make people happy.”

Barney Earle, the director of operations for VPNE, said valet parking, as well as car seat installation, are great amenities for hospitals. He feels they add to the value of a facility.

“Instead of driving around for 10 or 15 minutes looking for a spot, you can pull right up and unload,” said Earle.

VPNE, which was founded in 1990, is based in Boston. Earle said their 600 employees serve 14 hospitals in New England, including Women & Infants Hospital; Dana Farber; and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, to name a few.

“We become an extension of the hospitals,” he said. “We also provide services such as garage management, transportation services and consulting work on construction projects.”