Q. Open Access - Does the author’s final version have to be word for word the same as the published version as there will always be changes made at the editorial stage after acceptance?

The Word version should be as near word for word to the published version as possible, hence the request is for the final author’s version.  It is acknowledged, though, that there may be occasional changes as part of preparing to print: these can also be made to the Word version in Hydra if substantive.  However, links to the published article will always be added to Hydra and it is accepted as part of open access that the final Word version is to aid dissemination, whilst the published version is still the version of record.  Hence, minor differences are generally accepted.