EXHIBIT 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Prospectus Supplement dated May 9, 2002 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3
No. 333-73936) and related Prospectus of Health Care REIT, Inc. for the offering
of up to $150,000,000 of common stock and to the incorporation by reference
therein of our report dated January 22, 2002, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements and schedules of Health Care REIT, Inc. included in its
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2001, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.




                                        /s/ Ernst & Young LLP





Toledo, Ohio
May 6, 2002