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                                                                 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 7, 1998 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3
No. 333-43177) and related Prospectus of Health Care REIT, Inc. for the
registration of 3,000,000 shares of 8 7/8% Series B Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report
dated January 30, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial statements
and schedules of Health Care REIT, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form
10-K), as amended, for the year ended December 31, 1997, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                                ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Toledo, Ohio
May 5, 1998