Exhibit 23.1



               Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants



The Board of Directors
Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting a part of the Registration Statements on Form S-8 which registers
shares of your common stock issued under the Genesis Health Ventures, Inc.
Amended and Restated Employee Stock Option Plan and 1992 Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Director of our report dated February 4, 1997, relating to the
consolidated financial statements of The Multicare Companies, Inc. and
Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1996 in Amendment No. 1 to Genesis Health Ventures,
Inc.'s current report on Form 8-K/A dated October 10, 1997 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

We also consent to us being named as "Experts" in the Prospectus.



                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Short Hills, New Jersey
December 22, 1997