Table 1 The Royal College of Physicians “avoidability of death” scale

Score 1 Definitely avoidable

Score 2 Strong evidence of avoidability

Score 3 Probably avoidable (more than 50:50)

Score 4 Possibly avoidable, but not very likely (less than 50:50)

Score 5 Slight evidence of avoidability

Score 6 Definitely not avoidable