CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

We have issued our report dated  February 24, 1995,  accompanying  the financial
statements  of  Healthcare  Services  Group,  Inc.  appearing in the 1994 Annual
Report of the Company to its shareholders  included in the Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 which is  incorporated by reference in
this Registration  Statement and Prospectus.  We consent to the incorporation by
reference in the  Registration  Statement and  Prospectus of the  aforementioned
report.


GRANT THORNTON LLP

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
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Parsippany, New Jersey
April 18, 1995