Islanders have paid tribute to an “inspirational” and “formidable” former GP who spent much of her life advocating for more support for carers.
Dr Margaret Bayes MBE passed away on 30 April 2025 after a long illness.
The retired GP spent much of her life advocating for family carers as the founder and long-time chairperson of Carers Jersey.
She was made an MBE by the Queen in the New Year’s Honours List in 2013 for her work in founding and chairing the Jersey Association of Carers.
Tributes to Dr Bayes were led by Carers Jersey and disability charity Enable Jersey.
Carers Jersey said that Dr Bayes was “tenacious to the end in her passion to get carers recognised”.
“Over 30 years of her life were dedicated to making things better for those that care for their loved ones,” the umbrella organisation wrote.
“We will continue her incredible work ensuring Carers Jersey continues to support families in Jersey caring for loved ones.”
In a post on social media, Enable Jersey added: “Margaret was known by so many across the island, as a retired GP, member of the Kennel Club of Jersey and advocate for the recognition and support of family carers in Jersey as the long-time chair of Carers Jersey.
“Thank you for your untiring work Margaret.”
The Kennel Club of Jersey also paid tribute to its former president and her “successes in the show ring”.
Dr Bayes was the long-running chairperson of Carers Jersey, a partnership of charitable organisations and unpaid carers that has campaigned for carers’ legislation since 2017.
She was behind the three-year plan launched in 2022 for carers of all ages in the island to get the appropriate legislation, have their voices heard and to receive the correct support in their fundamentally loving role.
Just last year, Dr Bayes was continuing to push for the enactment of carer’s legislation for the estimated 5,000 unpaid carers in Jersey.