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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and the related Prospectus of Province
Healthcare Company for the registration of $150,000,000 of its convertible
subordinated notes due to 2005 and the registration of 3,781,440 shares of its
common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
February 22, 2000, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and
schedule of Province Healthcare Company included in its Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1999, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
and related Prospectus of our report dated July 23, 1999 with respect to the
combined financial statements of Doctors' Hospital of Opelousas and certain
affiliated entities included in the Form 8-K/A of Province Healthcare Company
dated August 16, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                     Ernst & Young LLP


Nashville, Tennessee
January 22, 2001