| abstract |
A washing station and method of sterilising washing stations is disclosed. It is important that washing stations and the water delivered to washing stations are both maintained sterile to prevent the washing stations from becoming central points of infection. A washing station 10, such as a sink or washbasin comprises a cover 40 which can be moved between first and second positions, and used in conjunction with steriliser 50 to sterilise a clean water delivery means 20, such as a tap and a waste water disposal means 30, such as the plug hole of the sink. The steriliser may be a UV light source, a distributor of a chemical sterilising compound or a means for delivering steam. Water delivered from the clean water delivery means may be heated in first and second boilers (110, 120, Fig. 3) with a heat exchanger (130, Fig. 3) used to cool water to a delivery temperature. Also claimed is a towel disposal bin comprising a internal and external temperature sensors, a level sensor to detect the height of the contents of the bin, and an alarm system to generate a warning based on the output of the sensors. |