ATOS assessment - audio recording (PIP) support

I have a PIP face-to-face PIP assessment next week (Oct). In the PIP2, I specifically asked that the assessment be audio recorded. When speaking with ATOS this morning, the officer made it crystal clear that any such recording can only be done if:

1) the equipment is provided by myself (the claimant), and
2) the equipment is capable of making dual recordings, and
3) one of the recordings is left with ATOS at the time, and
4) the HCA agrees to the recording, and
5) I sign some form of (unspecified) waiver.

If the above is correct, that means for all practical purposes, 99% of claimants cannot actually get the assessment recorded. It seems to me this is deliberate. Any suggestions?

Leading on from the above, I desperately need someone to accompany me to the assessment - especially if it cannot be recorded. Does anyone have any ideas as to which organisations, whether or not charities, offer such a service? Friends are not an option for a number of reasons, not least of which it would be deeply upsetting for them to know exactly how dark my state of mind is. In the context of the latter, the NHS is a non-starter. Their conduct has been appalling and a complaint is currently with the Ombudsman (for the second time).

Please help if you can.

Kevin wrote: 4) the HCA agrees to the recording, and

Who is the HCA and what does this mean in practice.

Is this something to be agreed upon in advance, or on the day.

I'm not following how a 'right' can be subject to an arbitrary approval.

Can an individual Health Care Professional/Assessor refuse to allow the recording on the day, when the claimant has sent in the signed agreement regarding recording, and brought all the correct equipmenrt?