CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


We  have  issued  our  reports  dated  February  17,  1999,   accompanying   the
consolidated  financial  statements  of  Healthcare  Services  Group,  Inc.  and
Subsidiaries,  appearing  in  the  1998  Annual  Report  of the  Company  to its
shareholders and accompanying the schedule included in the Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998,  which are  incorporated by reference
in this Registration  Statement. We consent to the incorporation by reference in
the Registration Statement of the aforementioned reports.





GRANT THORNTON LLP


Edison, New Jersey
December 10, 1999