The closure of Crozer Health, Delaware County's largest hospital system, is leaving a void in health care in the county, resulting in thousands of layoffs and increasing pressure on emergency medical services.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Stacey Jernigan approved Prospect Medical Holdings' move to shutter Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital in Delaware County, resulting in another collapse of hospitals backed by private equity.

The closure — expected to be completed within 30 days and affecting 3,000 workers and nearly 75,000 patients —comes after Penn offered a $5 million cash influx to assume two of the system's leases.