Victor Boudreau blocks hospital equipment purchase

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

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

In February 2014, 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 the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation, says the purchase is supported by "lead clinical care experts in this province."

Boudreau was not available on Thursday and 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.