PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) – A new report on the closure of a Rhode Island hospital two years ago says nearby communities have been left with less access to emergency care and put pressure on other area hospital emergency rooms.

The independent report on the January 2018 closure of Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket released this month was compiled by public health consulting firm John Snow Inc. and paid for by Care New England, Memorial’s operator.

It concluded that Memorial’s closure removed a nucleus of health care services for communities with high health care need.

It also said emergency rooms at other area hospitals saw longer wait times.