Victor Boudreau blocks hospital equipment purchase

The Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation is in talks with provincial officialshoping to reverse Health Minister Victor Boudreau's decision to block the purchase of $900,000 worth ofmedical equipment.

The foundation said in a news release on ThursdaythatBoudreau "directed the Horizon Health board of directors not to accept the offer of funding from the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation."

In February2014, the foundation launched a fundraising campaign, with approval from then health minister Ted Flemming. It was aimed at raising money to purchase 13 pieces of DNA sequencing equipment.

In February 2015,the foundation met its $900,000 goal.

Jeff McAloon, the president of theSaint John Regional Hospital Foundation,says the purchase is supported by"lead clinical care experts in this province."

Boudreauwas not availableon Thursdayand officials with the hospital foundation are not speaking publicly about the dispute.

Discussions on the issue have been taking place for several weeks according to the foundation's release.