EXHIBIT 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Prospectus Supplement dated September 6, 2002 to the Registration Statement
(Form S-3 No. 333-73936) and related Prospectus of Health Care REIT, Inc. for
the offering of up to $150,000,000 of notes due 2012 and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated January 22, 2002, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedules of Health Care REIT, Inc.
included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2001,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.





                                                             /s/ ERNST & YOUNG
Toledo, Ohio
September 4, 2002