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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated February 7, 1997 (except for Note 2, paragraph 3, as
to which the date is March 13, 1997) with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. included in the
Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-00000) and related Prospectus/Consent
Solicitation Statement of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. for the registration of
$180,000,000 of its Senior Notes.
 
     We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts"
and to the use of our report dated April 18, 1997, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedule of Pharmacy Corporation of
America included in the above mentioned Registration Statement and
Prospectus/Consent Solicitation Statement of Beverly Enterprises, Inc.
 
     In addition we consent to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Experts" and to the use of our report dated June 2, 1997, with respect to the
balance sheet of New Beverly Holdings, Inc., included in the above mentioned
Registration Statement and Prospectus/Consent Solicitation Statement of Beverly
Enterprises, Inc.
 
                                            ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
September 3, 1997
Little Rock, Arkansas