Exhibit 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Prospectus Supplement dated July 7, 2003 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3
No. 333-73936) and related Prospectus of Health Care REIT, Inc. for the offering
of up to $50 million shares of common stock, and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our report dated January 17, 2003, 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, 2002,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Toledo, Ohio
July 7, 2003