1


                                                                      EXHIBIT 23

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 33-46561) dated March 20, 1992 pertaining to The 1985 Incentive Stock
Option Plan of Health Care REIT, Inc., the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No.
333-1237) dated February 27, 1996 pertaining to The 1985 Incentive Stock Option
Plan of Health Care REIT, Inc., the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No.
333-1239) dated February 27, 1996 pertaining to the Health Care REIT, Inc. 1995
Stock Incentive Plan, the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-19537) dated
January 10, 1997 of Health Care REIT, Inc., the Registration Statement (Form S-8
No. 333-40769) dated November 21, 1997 pertaining to the Health Care REIT, Inc.
Stock Plan for non-employee Directors of Health Care REIT, Inc., the
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-40771) dated November 21, 1997
pertaining to the Health Care REIT, Inc. 1995 Stock Incentive Plan of Health
Care REIT, Inc., and Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No.
333-43177) dated January 7, 1998 of Health Care REIT, Inc. of our report dated
January 12, 2001 with respect to the consolidated financial statements and
schedules of Health Care REIT, Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 2000.






                                                         ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Toledo, Ohio
March 21, 2001