The first day surgery patient has been treated at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital, even though it will not be officially open until next week.
Marianne Berger had a cataract removed and said she was honoured to be the first person treated at the new surgical facilities.
"I said 'Right, I want a framed certificate to say so' but I didn't get that — I got the star treatment instead," she smiled.
"I would never let anybody say a bad word against the Royal Adelaide, either the old one or the new one because, personally, I've experienced nothing but kindness, good treatment and everybody has been excellent."
She described the new city hospital as bigger and brighter than the current one, which closes next week.
Director of nursing Su White said staff had completed their training at the new hospital and were ready to handle major procedures in the new operating theatres.
"Today we've tested a scenario where it's open heart surgery," she said.
"They run that from patient arrival right through the theatres, on to intensive care, so I think the staff do feel well prepared."
The first outpatient was treated at the new Royal Adelaide a fortnight ago, but the official opening is next week.
Over three days, about 300 patients will be moved by ambulance from the old hospital, at the eastern end of North Terrace to the new facility at the western end.
The new emergency department will open its doors from Tuesday morning, when the old one will close, and the entire move into the new hospital is expected to be completed by Wednesday.
The current Royal Adelaide has been winding down for six weeks, with Adelaide patient loads spread among other metropolitan hospitals, which have postponed some elective surgery, and some patients sent to country hospitals for their treatment.
