OBJECTIVES Improving access to primary care is one of the top UK Government priorities. As part of a programme to achieve this target, Nottingham City Primary Care Trust (PCT) launched the ‘Pharmacy First Minor Ailments' scheme. People were encouraged to visit their local pharmacy to be treated for 12 minor ailments rather than visiting their doctor, treatment was free if they were exempt from National Health Service (NHS) prescription charges. This study investigated stakeholders' perspectives of the acceptability of the scheme. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 46 stakeholders (26 pharmacists, 7 doctors, 7 commissioners and 6 scheme users). Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed for emerging themes using the principles of constant comparison and deviant case analysis. RESULTS Findings demonstrated that the scheme was largely well received by most stakeholders. They perceived benefits of the scheme in terms of improving patient access and choice in primary care as well as being more convenient than visiting a doctor for minor ailments. Additionally, most health professionals felt that the scheme could enhance the professional image of pharmacy with the public. Most commissioners interviewed expressed the view that the scheme could reduce cost to the NHS, as pharmacist consultations cost less than GP consultations. Nonetheless, some were concerned about overuse or abuse the scheme. Examples of problems raised by the scheme users included the small range of medicines available, a lack of privacy in some pharmacies and the poor publicity for the scheme. These might all be barriers to the use of the scheme. CONCLUSION Despite the reservations noted above, the majority of stakeholders saw the ‘Pharmacy First Minor Ailments Scheme' as a way to improve accessibility to primary care for local people and help the PCT to meet its NHS access targets.