later david and harold fall out over harold's treatment of patients. david is appalled that harold has decided to lie to colin and withhold vital information from him about his depleting health. he is also angry over harold's lack of persistence concerning donna ludlow's (matilda ziegler) drug problem, and later blames himself for not providing sufficient help following her suicide in may 1989. soon after david has stern words for harold when he fails to diagnose vicki fowler with meningitis. their altercation leads to harold retiring and leaving the running of the surgery to david. however, david's contemporary methods alienate the older residents of walford and after much protesting harold eventually decides to rethink his retirement. david initially tries to fight this, but in august 1989, ruth, arrives in the square to reconcile with david, and she makes david and harold realise how petty their arguing has become. the two doctors manage to patch up their differences, whilst david and ruth put their past behind them and get back together. the following month they decide to marry and return to israel together.