from a different perspective:
http://www.apmonline.org/page.php?pageid=182&newsid=100053(official story, explains that it is not such a big deal as it seems).
the link from the original post uses information from that famously accurate and scrupulously researched newspaper (sarcasm) the 'daily mail'. most people in britain accept that this is designed for (if not written by) people who are less interested in the truth, and more interested in a fascinating, shocking story.
having distanced myself from the very inaccurate reporting, i can say that a few people in uk do withhold intravenous fluids from dying patients when they should give them, and that the 'liverpool care pathway' is not as good at providing good care at the end of someone's life as it was hoped.
but generally, dying people in uk do get good pain relief and information about their situation, and the families / friends are also kept updated when the patients allow this.
a few years ago, i had the privilege of witnessing one of the last days of my friend's brother with a rare cancer. he had very good care, and plenty of complex drugs to deal with his multiple distressing symptoms. he did not have fluids withheld and he was not dehydrated.