EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
    We  consent to the reference to our  firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use  of  (i)  our report  dated  December  14, 1995,  with  respect  to  the
consolidated  financial statements  of Paracelsus  Healthcare Corporation  as of
September 30, 1994 and 1995 and for each of the three years in the period  ended
September  30, 1995, (ii) our report dated December 14, 1995 with respect to the
financial statement schedule of Paracelsus Healthcare Corporation for the  years
ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and (iii) our report dated May 17, 1996,
with  respect to the combined financial statements of Davis Hospital and Medical
Center, Pioneer Valley Hospital and Santa Rosa Medical Center as of December 31,
1994 and 1995 in the registration statement (Form S-1) and related Prospectus of
Paracelsus Healthcare Corporation  for the registration  of $250,000,000  Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2006.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
June 24, 1996