Probe into child's death at Melb hospital

An inquest will investigate the treatment of an 18-month-old girl who died days after she was admitted to a Melbourne hospital.

Audrey Ebbage died in December last year, four days after she was admitted to the Northern Hospital in Epping.

Her parents Matthew and Angela Ebbage have concerns about Audrey's management at the facility.

Coroner Jacqui Hawkins on Thursday announced an inquest into the girl's death would be held next year.

The hearing will consider whether earlier diagnosis of a heart condition may have prevented Audrey's death, the court was told.

Sergeant Sharon Wade, counsel assisting, said it would also look at handover between clinicians, paediatric resuscitation and staff rostering at the Northern Hospital.

Audrey was rushed to the Royal Children's Hospital from the Northern Hospital, but couldn't be saved.

The court heard her parents had also taken her to the Austin Hospital about a week before the Northern Hospital, but Audrey didn't see a doctor there because her health seemed to improve and there were lengthy delays.

Her parents hope the inquest will prevent future deaths.

"We just want some answers about our daughter," Audrey's mother, Dr Ebbage, told reporters outside court.

Nurses who cared for Audrey will give evidence, as well as an expert paediatrician and paediatric cardiologist.

The court heard many of the doctors who treated the baby girl were no longer working at the Northern Hospital.