BOSTON (CBS) – The company that owns seven North Shore hospitals and health facilities has decided to partner with Lahey Clinic.

Northeast Health Systems, which runs Beverly Hospital, Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester and Bayridge Hospital, made the move in a unanimous vote by its board.

Northeast CEO Ken Hanover tells me his company was not big enough to develop new services, and take on added risk with new regulations being put in place.

Lahey Clinic President and CEO Dr. Howard Grant tells me this is the first step in further expansion.

WBZ-TV’s Anthony Silva reports