The new videophone offers sharp-quality images beamed directly to one of six receiving devices in the Adelaide Hospital.

The Variety Club-funded project is aimed at connecting remote and regional centres with the specialists in metropolitan areas in an attempt to improve diagnosis and post-procedure liaison.

Pika Wiya's video-link phone is part of a wider network that covers remote and regional South Australia, Vidco medical director Doctor Tori Wade said.

"There's a definite shortage of GPs in the country," Dr Wade said.

"Include with that a shortage of nursing staff and it makes life very difficult for patients who need specialist attention."

The phone offers increased visual contact with specialists in Adelaide and due to its relatively small size offers a less intimidating option than its larger counterparts in rural hospitals.

Able to easily fit into the confides of an office or examination room, the videophone provides a portable link with major facilities at the Women's and Children's Hospital, Dr Wade said.

Having already established the satellite links, the device is to be used for diagnosing burns, venom, fractures and many other treatments.

"It's pretty high quality equipment from what I understand," Pika Wiya Information Communication Technology manager Damon Moldrich said.

"Apart from diagnosis, it gives us the opportunity for community members to get in contact with loved ones if they transfer to the Women's and Children's.

"It's easier and a lot less stressful for families to talk on the videolink than to move them to Adelaide."

Resulting from a plea to the Variety Club for the improvement of a medical program to assist children in remote areas, the phone is located in major rural centres around the region, with another 10 to go to isolated communities in the North.

The infant mortality rate among indigenous people is three times higher than the national average and as such Pika Wiya was chosen as a key location for Port Augusta's phone link, Dr Wade said.

The video link can provide key information to local physicians from specialists in Adelaide, being a port of call in "urgent situations".

"If you can see the patient, you can give a lot better advice." Dr Wade said.

The Whyalla phone has already been used to treat patients.

Port Augusta's link is expected to be used soon.

A public launch will take place in the near future.