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.
333-01239) dated February 27, 1996 pertaining to the Health Care REIT, Inc. 1995
Stock Incentive Plan, 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, the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No.
333-107280) dated July 23, 2003, as amended on August 1, 2003, and the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-110902) dated December 3, 2003, as
amended on December 11, 2003 of Health Care REIT, Inc. of our report dated
January 16, 2004 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, 2003.




Toledo, Ohio                                               /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
March 8, 2004