EXHIBIT 23.2




                         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) and related Prospectus of
Genesis Health Ventures, Inc., dated December 16, 1996, for the registration of
176,355 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
December 12, 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) and related Prospectus of
Genesis Health Ventures, Inc., dated December 16, 1996, for the registration of
176,355 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
December 12, 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) and related Prospectus of
Genesis Health Ventures, Inc., dated December 16, 1996, for the registration of
176,355 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
December 12, 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. 333-11847) and related
Prospectus of Genesis Health Ventures, Inc. for the registration of 176,355
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.'s Current Report
(Form 8-K/A), dated May 3, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.







                                                 /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                                     ------------------------
                                                     Ernst & Young LLP


Buffalo, New York
December 13, 1996