Each year about 200 seriously injured New Zealanders are taken to hospital only to be sent on to another after initial care.
A new policy now aims to instead send serious trauma cases to the most appropriate hospital more quickly.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said the "major trauma out of hospital destination policy" would start from Monday.
"Each year around 2000 people with major trauma are transferred to hospital for care. Of these, up to 200 cases a year go to a hospital which provides initial care before sending them on to another hospital.
"This policy will help reduce the number of patients needing to be transferred during their care by getting them to a hospital which can provide all of the services right at the beginning of their treatment."