EXHIBIT 23.1


                        Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of HCA Inc. for the
registration of $1,500,000,000 of debt securities and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated February 5, 2002, except for Note 19, as
to which the date is March 28, 2002, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of HCA 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 LLP


April 30, 2002
Nashville, Tennessee