Victor Boudreau, Saint John foundation plan new meeting

The head of the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation says Health Minister Victor Boudreau made a "clear commitment" to have another discussion on the ongoing dispute about the provincial government's decision to block the purchase of a DNA sequencing laboratory.

JeffMcAloon, the hospital foundation's president and chief executive officer,says Boudreau promised to arrange a new meeting by the end of the week, once he reviews the material presented to him on Tuesday.

"We provided a lot of great information, not only with the analysis of the cost but the reason why this equipment is needed in Saint John and the impact it will have not only to Saint John but the province even beyond that," McAloon said on Thursday in an interview on Information Morning Saint John.

"He's committed to getting back to us in the next few days. So we're all waiting patiently."

The hospital foundation raised $900,000 to purchase the genetics testing equipment, which is used to help develop personalized treatment for cancer patients.

But Boudreau advised Horizon Health not to use the money for its intended purpose since the same equipment is available in Moncton.

The health minister said New Brunswick can't afford two testing centres.

Foundation proud of Give Campaign

Jason Downey, the chair of the foundation'sboard, says despite the disconnect, he is proud of the way its Give Campaign was handled.

"At the end of the day I will be able to look any donor in the face and I will be extremely proud with how this foundation has acted," said Downey.

"We acted with integrity, we followed due process and as challenging as it can be when folks are making comments based on partial information, in my heartI remind myself that at the end of the day, I will be proud with how we handled this."

The hospital foundation said donors have been supportive during the controversy.

"We started this campaign with the support of Horizon [Health Network], with the support of our donors, and we truly believe this is the right thing to do and we're going to respect the government's decision and the work they're doing behind the scenes," McAloon said.

"We're sitting, waiting for the phone call and we're hoping over the next few days we're able to have another conversation with the minister of Health."

This is the second time the New Brunswick government blocked a hospital equipment purchase proposed by the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation.

In 2012, the governmentrefused a $1-million donation from Saint John fundraisers toward an MRI upgrade, blaming timing and extra expenses for maintenance.

Downey says he hopes steps can be takento avoid some of the miscommunication from the past.

"I think because we fundraise for so many programs that are provincial in nature, we need to take it a step further," he said.

"That we make every effort we can to have ongoing conversations with our government representatives, with our Department of Health representatives, we want to have them in our hospital to learn what complex tertiary care looks like, and I think throughthose communications we can move forward."