This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:

Primary objective

To assess the effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of inpatient specialist palliative care in acute hospitals for adults with advanced illness and their unpaid caregivers.

Secondary objectives

• To determine the effectiveness of inpatient palliative care services compared with best usual care on pain;

• to determine the effectiveness of inpatient palliative care services compared with best usual care on quality of life and mortality/survival;

• to determine the effectiveness of inpatient palliative care services compared with best usual care on caregiver burden, mental health and bereavement;

• to determine the different models and out‐of‐hours arrangements of inpatient palliative care teams and their influence on effectiveness;

• to critically appraise and summarise current evidence on resource use and costs associated with inpatient palliative care services compared with best usual care services for adults with advanced illness and their caregivers;

• to assess whether inpatient palliative care services result in adverse effects.