Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 No. 333-4132) and related
Prospectus of Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. for the registration of 6,900,000
shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
report dated February 24, 1995, with respect to the financial statements of
McKerley Health Care Centers, Inc. included in Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.'s
Current Report (Form 8K/A), dated April 5, 1996, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

                                          /s/  ERNST & YOUNG LLP  
                                        --------------------------
                                            ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Manchester, New Hampshire
May 3, 1996





                         Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 No. 333-4132) and related
Prospectus of Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. for the registration of 6,900,000
shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
report dated February 24, 1995, with respect to the financial statements of
McKerley Health Facilities included in Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.'s Current
Report (Form 8K/A), dated April 5, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                          /s/  ERNST & YOUNG LLP  
                                        --------------------------
                                            ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Manchester, New Hampshire
May 3, 1996





                         Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 No. 333-4132) and related
Prospectus of Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. for the registration of 6,900,000
shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
report dated February 6, 1995, with respect to the financial statements and
other financial information of McKerley Health Care Center--Concord Limited
Partnership included in Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.'s Current Report (Form
8K/A), dated April 5, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                          /s/  ERNST & YOUNG LLP  
                                        --------------------------
                                            ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Manchester, New Hampshire
May 3, 1996










                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-4132) and
related Prospectus of Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. for the registration of
6,900,000 shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference
therein of our report dated March 15, 1996, with respect to the combined
financial statements of National Health Care Affiliates, Inc. and Related
Entities for the year ended December 31, 1995, included in Genesis Health
Ventures, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 3, 1996, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                          /s/  ERNST & YOUNG LLP  
                                        --------------------------
                                            ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Buffalo, New York
May 6, 1996