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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 October 7, 1998 to the Registration Statement (Form
S-3 No. 333-43177) and related Prospectus of Health Care REIT, Inc. for the
registration of 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share, 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
October 2, 1998