Clinical Wash Hand Basin

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Resources to support the workforce in gaining knowledge and skills to prevent and control the potential risks posed by healthcare facilities and promote a culture of life-long learning, continuous improvement and improved patient safety.

Think sink, think splash, think safety!

The NES Healthcare built environment team, in collaboration with NHS Scotland Assure ARHAI Clinical Assurance Team, launched a new animation Think sink, think splash, think safety! on August 1st 2023.

This exciting animation describes the do’s and don’ts of clinical wash hand basins (sinks) – their intended purpose, water associated infection risks and what we all can do together to reduce this risk. The animation  promotes best practice for all staff within healthcare settings when using the clinical wash hand basins and encourages all healthcare staff to:

Think sink, think splash, think safety!


We all play a significant role in ensuring the safety of patients regardless of our role. The animation illustrates,

  • the infection risks associated with the incorrect use of sinks in terms of patient harm
  • what we can do together to reduce this risk to ensure safer healthcare-built environments for us and our patients
Associate Chief Nursing Officer and Director of NHS Scotland Assure

This video of Associate Chief Nursing Officer and Director of NHS Scotland Assure introduces an exciting new clinical hand wash basin animation. 

Duration: 02:09

Think sink, think splash, think safety!

This animation is intended to inform healthcare staff on the safe use of clinical wash hand basins or sinks.

Duration: 05:45

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Alternative Formats

If you require this resource to be made available in alternative formats, please email HAI@nes.scot.nhs.uk or  altformats@nes.scot.nhs.uk to discuss how we can best meet your requirements.