Four care homes have failed to meet key standards in keeping people safe and protecting them from harm.

Institutional neglect, poorly labelled medicines and unclean homes and laundry were among the reasons given for failing to meet the standards set by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The homes were among 19 across Richmond and Elmbridge which failed the safety standard.

One of the homes in Kingston, for adults with learning disabilities, failed four out of five overall standards and had an allegation of institutional neglect upheld.

None of the Kingston homes were alleged or found to have physically abused residents.

In one case, a single failure in a sub-standard meant the overall safety standard had not been met.

But a spokesman for the CQC said: "Everyone should be able to expect to receive care and treatment that meets those standards.

"Non-compliance with the standards means that people are not receiving the level of care or treatment that everyone is entitled to by law."

Kingston Care Home, Lingfield Avenue, Beaufort Lodge and Speirs House in New Malden each failed the safety standard after inspections by the CQC as recently as October.

Sandra Berry, of Kingston’s Healthwatch, the patient involvement group for health and social care, said: “Looking after our elderly people at that time of life is of paramount importance and lapses in standards should not occur.

“Healthwatch will do all it can to ensure standards are upheld and maintained and we are happy to go into any care homes.”

Simon Bottery, of Independent Age, said the charity was saddened but not surprised.

He said: “We really need to focus on supporting care staff and making sure homes are being led from the top to bring in the culture of care and respect needed to deliver intimate and personal care.”

Inspectors upheld an allegation of institutional neglect at Lingfield Avenue as a resident’s care needs were “not understood or addressed”.

During a visit an inspector found a “potential abusive practice” although no more detail was given.

The home for 14 adults with learning disabilities failed four out of the five standards: medication was not always given on time, an upstairs window was not fitted with a safety device and cultural and religious needs were not met.

Karen Smith, a director of Scope, the charity that runs the home, said it had taken decisive steps, hiring new management and staff.

She said: “We have extremely high expectations for the services we deliver, and are disappointed when we fall short.”

Beaufort Lodge in Kingston was rapped in July over staff and residents being put at risk because foul and soiled laundry was not being cleaned properly.

Not all staff were taking time to sit with residents when they were eating or drinking, it also concluded, a breach of a dignity standard.

CHD Living, which runs the home, said: “The major concern was that the home did not have a sluice machine. A new one was installed following the inspection and carpets have been replaced.”

At Kingston Care Home, run by Four Seasons, inspectors were preparing a new report after the service failed three of the five standards including problems with safely administering medicines.

Eight people went without medication for two days due to a problem with changing their GP.

A spokesman for Four Seasons said: "The wellbeing and comfort of residents is our first priority so the recommendations were addressed promptly and the required improvements have been implemented."

Speirs House in New Malden, run by Greensleeves, was also told to make improvements in administering medicines after one person missed their morning medication, loose tablets were found in a medicine cabinet and three of the four medicine records checked were incorrect.

Greensleeves said it welcomed the feedback which had led to changes being made in a new system for storing medication and training for staff.

Care homes which failed safety standards in Kingston, Richmond and Elmbridge:

Beaufort Lodge, in Beaufort Road, Kingston (failed two out of five standards) (9 August 2011)

Lingfield Avenue, Lingfield Avenue, Kingston (failed four out of five standards) (11 July 2011)

Kingston Care Home, Jemmett Close, Kingston (failed three out of five standards) (18 Oct 2011)

Speirs House, The Chesters, Traps Lane, New Malden (7 September 2011)

Orione House, Station Road, Hampton Wick (21 February 2011)

Royal Mencap Society, Glamorgan Road, Hampton Wick (23 June 2011)

Cedars Road, Cedars Road, Hampton Wick (27 September 2011)

Deer Lodge, Sandy Lane, Teddington (5 October 2011)

St John’s, Ferry Road, Teddington (13 July 2011)

United Response, 45a Hampton Road, Teddington United Response, 198 Powder Mill, Whitton (failing three standards out of five) (30 September 2011)

St Mary’s House, Ormond Avenue, Hampton (30 June 2011) Hampton Care Limited, Upper Sunbury Road, Hampton (15 August 2011)

Silver Birches, Marchmont Road, Richmond (16 February 2011) The Regard Partnership, Kneller Road, Whitton (22 August 2011)

Viera Gray House, Ferry Road, Barne (26 July 2011)

Thames Side, Beldham Gardens, West Molesey (failing three care standards) (11 Sep 2011)

The Regard Partnership, Hersham Road, Walton (28 October 2011)