A Gatineau doctor has been found guilty of failing to uphold the standards of his profession after striking an HIV-positive patient.

According to a disciplinary board decision against Dr. Luc-Philippe Lacroix issued by the Collège des médecins

du Québec, on Jan. 31, 2015, a woman who was both HIV- and hepatitis C-positive arrived at the emergency department of the Gatineau Hospital highly intoxicated.

Hospital staff said she was aggressive, threatening and suicidal.

After the woman swallowed some pills the hospital launched a code white — a call for assistance with a potentially violent patient — and staff tried to place her in restraints. The woman struggled and spat on Lacroix's face.

Witnesses said the doctor responded by striking the patient twice and threatening her, telling her that if her saliva infected him, she would not need pills to die.

The disciplinary board decision's against Lacroix was issued on May 25, 2016. A date to discuss sanctions has not yet been set.